With just weeks until the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), Azerbaijani authorities are finalising a sweeping logistical operation in Baku. The event, which runs from 10 to 14 November, is expected to draw more than 28,000 participants and roughly 1,000 media representatives from across the globe, including a significant contingent from European cities and institutions.
Olympic Stadium Transformed into Conference Hub
The centrepiece of the preparations is the conversion of Baku's Olympic Stadium into a large-scale conference venue. Originally built for the 2015 European Games, the 68,000-seat arena is being reconfigured to host 40 main sessions and 350 partner-led events. Organisers say the space will accommodate plenaries, workshops, and networking zones, with simultaneous interpretation in multiple languages.
Transport authorities have expanded dedicated bus lanes and added electric vehicles to the city's fleet, aiming to reduce congestion during the forum. Baku Metro, which already serves the stadium via the Koroghlu station, will increase frequency on its lines. The city is also deploying a digital monitoring system to manage traffic flows in real time, a measure that builds on systems used during the 2019 European Solidarity Games.
Security and Digital Oversight
Police have stepped up safety measures, including additional patrols and the installation of advanced surveillance cameras around key venues. Digital monitoring systems will track crowd movements and flag potential disruptions. The approach mirrors security protocols used at recent high-profile events in the region, such as the COP29 climate conference in Baku last year.
Authorities have not disclosed specific threat assessments, but the forum's focus on urban sustainability and governance has drawn interest from policymakers in Brussels, Berlin, and Paris. The European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy is expected to send a delegation.
Cultural Tours and Local Engagement
Tourism officials are preparing tailored excursions for delegates, highlighting Baku's blend of medieval and modern architecture. Tours will include the UNESCO-listed Old City (Icherisheher), the Heydar Aliyev Centre designed by Zaha Hadid, and the Flame Towers. Some itineraries extend to the Gobustan rock art reserve and the mud volcanoes of Qobustan.
The forum also features a 'Urban Expo' where cities and organisations showcase innovations in housing, transport, and climate adaptation. European participants include mayors from Vienna, Copenhagen, and Barcelona, as well as representatives from the European Investment Bank.
WUF13 is the first major UN-Habitat gathering since the adoption of the New Urban Agenda at the 2016 Quito conference. The Baku session will focus on implementing sustainable development goals in urban contexts, with particular attention to affordable housing, green infrastructure, and digital inclusion.
For European readers, the forum offers a chance to compare approaches across the continent. Cities like Amsterdam and Stockholm have pioneered circular economy models, while Eastern European capitals such as Warsaw and Tallinn are grappling with rapid densification. The outcomes in Baku could influence EU urban policy frameworks, including the upcoming European Urban Initiative.
As preparations enter their final phase, Baku's authorities are betting that the investment in infrastructure and security will pay off in both diplomatic goodwill and long-term tourism. The city has hosted several international events in recent years, including the 2019 European Games and the 2023 Formula One Grand Prix, but WUF13 presents a different challenge: managing a forum that is as much about policy as it is about people.
